Ganguly pads up as cricket administrator, elected CAB joint secretary

Kolkata, July 27 (IANS) Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly Sunday began a new innings as a cricket administrator -- with his unanimous election to the joint secretary's post at the Cricket Association of Bengal's 83rd annual general meeting here.

Ganguly's advent in a new avatar was welcomed by cricket administrators and the playing fraternity.

A talismanic left hand bat during his playing days who captained India to the world cup final in 2003, Ganguly follows in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors and contemporaries like Polly Umrigar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Dilip Vengsarkar, Javagal Srinath, Brijesh Patel, Shivlal Yadav and Anil Kumble who achieved varying degrees of success as cricket administrators.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was also unanimously re-elected as CAB president, welcomed Ganguly into full-time cricket administration.

"When I was the BCCI president, he was the captain. As a team we did well. And I hope this team will again do a great job," Dalmiya said after the AGM.

He said Ganguly - rated as one of the greatest Indian captains - has assured him that he would devote "sufficient time" for the game despite his busy schedule.

Bengal captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who attended the AGM as a membr of the Salkia Friends Association, exuded confidence that Ganguly would play a significant role in rearing young talents.

"We all know about his contribution as a cricketer. And now hopefully, he will continue to contribute as an administrator and nurture young talents," he said.

"As a cricketer he has taken Bengal to the world arena. Now I am sure that as a sports administrator too, he will take Bengal to new heights," said Youth Services Minister Arup Biswas, present at the AGM.

Ganguly's election after his nomination by CAB affiliate club Barisha Sporting, however, was a foregone conclusion with there being no challenger to his candidacy.

There had been consistent speculation over the past four-five years of Ganguly entering the CAB administration in a big way. But every time the build-up ended in an anti-climax.

However, with Dalmiya - now all of 74 years old - ageing, cricketing circles feel Ganguly's anointment as CAB joint secretary could usher in a new age in the CAB in the coming years, when the former Indian captain is most likely to play a bigger role in the association's affairs.

The 42-year-old Ganguly, however, was not present at the AGM as he is away in England doing television commentary for the India-England series.

Barisha was represented at the AGM by Ganguly's maternal uncle Arup Chatterjee.

In the past, Ganguly has been member of CAB sub-committees like cricket development.

During a marathon international career spanning 16 years, Ganguly turned out for 113 Tests and 311 One Day Internationals for India. He led India in 49 Tests, and holds a fascinating 21-13 win-loss record. He also captained the national team in 146 ODIs, winning 76 and losing 65. Under him, India won some memorable victories away from home.